Hands Team

What is Hands Team?

A unit of players who are more talented at
catching, utilized when receiving an onside kick. When the
hands team is being used, the majority of the receiving team lines
up close to where the ball is being kicked from to improve their
chances of recovering the onside kick.

Sporting Charts explains Hands Team

In obvious situations where the opposing team will attempt an
onside kick, the receiving team will send out the hands team. The
hands team is allowed to line up five yards away from where the
ball is being kicked from, to create a greater chance of recovery.
Generally on kick returns, teams will use bigger players who are
more suited to blocking to increase the chance of a big return. The
hands team, however, consists of receivers, tight ends and
defensive backs. These players are usually better at catching and
therefore have a better chance of recovering the onside
kick.